Library to Conduct Survey

Students to Influence Library Policy

By Zev Bannett

In a few short weeks, Yeshiva’s library system will be joining those of other universities throughout the United States by participating in a widespread survey of library performance.  Aside from helping to generate a list of basic collegiate library requirements based on feedback from the involved Yeshiva libraries, the survey will give students an opportunity to voice their opinions about library services and to possibly affect changes and improvements.

Known as “Libqual+,” an abbreviation for “Library Quality,” the survey is being coordinated by University Dean of Libraries Dr. Pearl Berger.  In order to convenience the student body and encourage participation in the survey, Yeshiva students will be able to access the survey over the Internet.  “We will be sending an email containing a link to the survey web site,” said Berger.  “Hopefully, this efficient method will lead towards heightened involvement on the part of the student body.”  Berger further stressed that the survey will be short and user-friendly, easy to do in a few minutes.

Now funded by the Federal Department of Education, Libqual+ was created through a joint project of Texas A&M University and the Association of Research Libraries.  In its first year, it involved only about twelve libraries.  This year, its third year in use, nearly one hundred seventy collegiate and graduate libraries throughout the country will be participating.  As Berger explained, Yeshiva College decided to become involved because the survey may lead to “positive changes and possible reevaluation of library priorities.”

The student response to benefits of the survey was mixed.  “As far as I’m concerned, any kind of improvement would definitely be appealing, but I am not really aware of any major issues that the library is dealing with at this time,” said Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary student Dov Porat. 

Other students were equally uncertain.  “I will have to wait and see what options the survey presents,” said Yeshiva College Sophomore Adir Rovner.  “There is always room for improvement; it simply remains to be seen what categories are being offered for change.”